Culture and traditions around pregnancy, birth and baby
Hi everyone
I was encouraged to start this thread by some other BBers after discussing it in my blog recently. The topic I'd like to broach is:
Does anyone have any pregnancy, birth or baby cultural traditions that they observe?
These traditions can be from any culture or even specific family traditions.
Here is a bit of background to my story - I'm currently 27 weeks pregnant and my husband was born in India (he moved here with his family as a teenager). His parents are Hindu and are active in maintaining their religion/cultural traditions. My DH identifies as being Hindu by birth, but is not particularly religious. My FIL explained to me that Hinduism is not so much a religion as a philosophy. From what I have experienced, it is very much tied up with culture and tradition.
My MIL is very excited about our little bun in the oven, and I have learned a few things about Hindu customs around pregnancy and birth so far. These are;
- There is a ceremony (puja) done about 4 or 5 months and a locket style charm is given to the pregnant woman to wear around the neck or arm to protect mother and baby. In my case the charm is a locket that has a part of a flower that was offered to the Goddess Kali at a temple in India. That flower was then inserted into the locket and sealed with beeswax.
- At about 1 month before the baby is due there is a 'ladies function' held called Shaad (which means desire). I haven't had it yet but I imagine its a get together of women family and friends and I think the pregnant lady is encouraged to eat to her hearts desire. I might update this when I've actually experienced it!
- Hindu tradition believes its bad luck to buy things for the baby before it is born. I'm not sure how strict this one is - I only heard this via DH and am asking him to clarify. This is the only tradition I have struggled with so far... I think we may have to work out a compromise. I can see how it works in traditional Indian extended families where people usually lived with their family members in one big house, but in Aussieland? I don't have any family in the state! I'd be interested to hear more about this one.
My mum has been telling me some interesting things that my paternal grandmother would make her do (she's Italian). They're probably not as in depth as what you have described but the one I liked was that after you have the baby, you're not allowed to get your hands wet for three weeks.
I think this was in reference to washing up and housework (not showering or washing hands!) so for each of my mother's three children, my grandmother would come and stay with my mum for the first three weeks and help with all the cooking, cleaning, washing etc. As much as some people might not like their space invaded, I can see the value in having an extra pair of hands to help for the first three weeks at home with a new baby!
My grandmother also lived 3 hours away so it was probably nice for her to spend time with her new grandchild too.
My MCHN told me that Cambodian women stay in bed for 30 days after the birth. The MIL is to come and take care of her and mums feet aren't supposed to touch the floor for this time. (Except toilet) She is also fed good nutritious, warming foods to aid recovery.
Needless to say I am Cambodian after my kids are born....then back to good old traditionless Aussie after that.
Maybe it was vietnamese?? I get confused - we have the most lovely cambodian neighbour who tell us all sorts of cryptic things about children growing like blades of grass....I love him.
Culture and traditions around pregnancy, birth and baby
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